Insect electrocutor

ABSTRACT

Two vertically spaced, electrical grids formed from a plurality of horizontally spaced, vertically extending rods are secured to each other by swivel type insulation mountings permitting the spacing and relative position between the rods forming the grids to be altered. The two grids are electrically insulated from each other and are supplied with electrical power by leads extending from a high voltage transformer. The insulating mounting of the grids permits the rods in each grid to be adjusted with respect to each other to prevent arcing from grid to grid and yet to provide maximum spacing between the two grids while still permitting arcing when insects enter the area included between the two grids. The controls and electrical power supply for the two grids are housed in a compact, weatherproof covering. An ultraviolet light supplied by the power source is disposed adjacent one of the grids to attract flying insects and the grids are encased within a screened housing to reduce shock hazard.

United States Patent Springer [451 Aug. 1, 1972 [54] INSECT ELECTROCUTOR[72] Inventor: Charles H. Springer, Route 1, Box

' 327, Alta Lorna, Tex. 77510 [22] Filed: June 12, 1970 [21] Appl. No.:45,810

[52] US. Cl ..43/ll2 [51] Int. Cl. ..A01m 1/22 [58] Field of Search..43/112 [56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,165,560 7/1939Luther ..43/112 2,951,310 9/1960 Anderson et al ..43/112 FOREIGN PATENTSOR APPLICATIONS 285,510 5/1931 Italy ..43/112 1,515,795 1/1968 France..43/l12 Primary Examiner-Lucie M. Laudenslager Att0rneyCarlos A. Torres[57] ABSTRACT Two vertically spaced, electrical grids formed from aplurality of horizontally spaced, vertically extending rods are securedto each other by swivel type insulation mountings permitting the spacingand relative position between the rods forming the grids to be altered.The two grids are electrically insulated from each other and aresupplied with electrical power by leads extending from a high voltagetransformer. The insulating mounting of the grids permits the rods ineach grid to be adjusted with respect to each other to prevent arcingfrom grid to grid and yet to provide maximum spacing between the twogrids while still permitting arcing when insects enter the area includedbetween the two grids. The controls and electrical .power supply for thetwo grids are housed in a compact, weatherproof covering. An ultravioletlight supplied by the power source is disposed adjacent one of the gridsto attract flying insects and the grids are encased within a screenedhousing to reduce shock hazard.

4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENT [D E 1 9 2 FIG. 2

F l G. 3

INVENTOR Char/es Hv Springer ATTORNEY 1 INSECT ELECTROCUTOR BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relatesto means for killing insects. More specifically, the present inventionrelates to a new and improved insect electrocutor adapted to killinsects flying into the area between spaced, electrically insulatedcharged grids.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art A variety of devices have beensuggested by the prior art for the purpose of electrocuting insects. Ingeneral, all of such devices include spaced grids electrically insulatedfrom each other with an electrical potential existing across the grids.When an insect enters the space between the spaced grids, it alters theconductivity of the area included between the grids to permit conductionfrom one grid to the other, electrocuting the insect. One prior artteaching suggests grounding one of the space grids and charging only theinner grid to reduce the danger of accidental shocking. In general, thevarious conducting elements included in the prior art grids have takenon a wide variety of shapes and configurations.

The conventional grid structures employed in these prior art devicesinclude electrically conductive elements which are fixed both withrespect to similar elements in the same grid and with respect tocorresponding elements in the opposite, electrically insulated gridstructure. It is also conventional to employ attracting means such as anultraviolet light in combination with the spaced, charged grids. Powerfor the prior art devices is normally supplied through a voltagetransformer adapted to convert conventional 120 volt, 60 cps alternatingcurrent supply to a higher voltage. In setting up devices of this type,it is necessary to space the grids sufficiently away from each other toprevent arcing. The preferred adjustment is such that arcing isprevented but any change in the dielectric constant such as induced bythe entrance of a very small flying insect between the spaced grids, issufficient to induce arcing between the grids. It is well known that theconductivity of the atmosphere is affected by density and moisturecontent. For this reason, fixed adjustment of spacing between the twogrids in conventional devices has required a compromise setting toprevent undesired arcing. As a result, the device is relativelyinsensitive to smaller flying insects and under some atmosphericconditions may fail to function acceptably.

Another problem associated with conventional prior art devices isshorting between the two spaced grids by the electrical path formed fromthe accumulations of electrocuted insects. This problem is associatedwith prior art grid designs which do not permit the elec-' the twospaced grids. This has required a closer spacing between the two spacedgrids which in turn contributes to increased danger of bridging by theaccumulation of electrocuted insects and arcing during humid atmosphericconditions.

Basically, it may be seen that the prior art fails to disclose a devicesuitable for electrocuting flying insects which includes means foreasily adjusting the spacing between the two charged grids. In addition,the prior art has locked a grid design capable of continuous operationover prolonged periods of time which permits the electrocuted insects tofall freely away from the charged screen thereby preventing undesiredarcmg.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The insect electrocutor of the presentinvention includes two spaced, vertically disposed electrically chargedgrids which may easily be adjusted with respect to each other to providemaximum performance under varying atmospheric conditions and to beespecially adapted to different size insects. Each of the grids includesa series of vertically extending rods and in the preferred form of theinvention, the rods of one grid are staggered with respect to rods ofthe other grid. The described construction of the apparatus of thepresent invention ensures electrocution of even very small insectsflying between the spaced grids. In addition, even large insectselectrocuted when flying through the spaced grid structure are free tofall away from the grids to prevent undesirable arcing.

The electrical circuitry of the apparatus includes a variable resistancewhich permits the potential difference between the two spaced grids tobe altered over a wide range. This feature in combination with theadjustable spacing between the grids permits the grids to be adapted foroptimum performance with both large and small insects under varyingatmospheric conditions.

The electrical components of the insect electrocutor are compactlyhoused in a weatherproof roof structure which also serves to'shield theexposed grids. The two grids are mounted with respect to each other toform a composite structure which is suspended from the top to eliminatearcing caused by the accumulation of insects falling downwardly afterbeing electrocuted between the grids.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present inventionwill become more apparent from the following specification and relateddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERREDEMBODIMENT The preferred form of the insect electrocutor of the presentinvention is indicated generally at in FIG. 1. The electrocutor 10includes a housing which is equipped with a roof structure 11, ascreened bottom surface 12, screened sidings 13 and 14, front and rear16. The screening on the bottom 12, sidings l3 and 14 and front and rear15 and 16, respectively, is formed from relatively large mesh screenwhich permits insects to enter the electrocutor 10 but prevents humansand animals from contacting the internal charged portions of the device.The screen on the bottom 12 serves the additional function of permittingelectrocuted insects to fall through the device 10 thereby preventinginsect accumulations which would short out the internal components ofthe electrocutor.

Two horizontally spaced grids 18 and 19 and an ul- 22 and 23 andbrackets and 21 may be welded,

bolted or otherwise suitably secured together.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, it may be seen that a plurality ofvertically extending, U-shaped grid rods 24 extend between the twospaced supports 20 and 21. Similar elements 25 are included in the grid19. As may best be seen by joint reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the twogrids 18 and 19 are secured to each other by means of adjustableconnecting structures 26, 27, 28 and 29. Connecting structure 26 whichis exemplary of the other three connecting structures includesconnecting arms 29 and 30 extending from the upper L-shaped supports ofgrids Y18 and 19 respectively. The two arms 29 and 30 are connectedtogether by an insulating bar 31. As illustrated, the arm 29 isconnected to the upper L-shaped bracket 20 by means of a bolt and nutconnection which permits the arm to pivot. Similar connections securethe arm 29 to the insulating bar 31 and secure the insulating bar to thearm 30 and the arm 30 to the upper L-shaped bracket of the grid 19. Itwill be appreciated that the connecting structures 26, 27, 28 and 29therefore permit relatively unlimited adjustment between the two spacedgrids so that the vertical grid elements 24 and 25 may be broughtclosely together or separated or may be staggered with respect to eachother in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. The ability of thegrids to be positioned in two dimensions with respect to each other isan important feature of the present invention since it permits largeinsects to enter between the grids and fall free after being killedwhile still permitting a spacing which ensures arcing even where smallinsects enter between the grids.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the roof structure 11 houses the electricalcomponents indicated generally at E employed to supply a controlledelectrical charge to the spaced grids 18 and 19. An on-off switchcontrol S and a variable resistance control V extend through the sidingto permit external control of the electrical components housed withinthe roof 11. The power is supplied to the components E from aconventional source of power through a suitable electrical connector Cwhich preferably includes a third safety connection for connecting themetal housing to ground. The electrical components E are mounted on asuitable insulating material such as wooden platform W. Electrical leadsL-l and L-2 extend through electrical insulators in the platform andattach to the spaced grids 18 and 19 to provide the desired electricalcharge.

The composite grid structure formed by grids 18 and 19 is suspended fromthe overhead support W by means of suitable flexible insulatingconnectors l. The suspension members I may be any suitable flexiblematerial having good insulating properties. The illustrated suspensionpermits the composite structure of grids 18 and 19 to be freelysuspended so that the desired optimum adjustment between the two grids18 and 19 may be easily effected.

With reference to FIG. 4, the electrical circuitry E of the presentinvention is seen to include an on-off circuit breaker overload switchS, an overlead protecting means such as the fuse F, an optional lightsensitive switch LS for initiating operation of the device automaticallywhen the external light level falls below a predetermined value, theincandescent lamp L and a variable resistance F. A conventional l 10volt, cps alternating current supply may be connected to input windingsT-1 of a transformer T to provide increased voltage output at the outputwindings T-2. In one form of the invention, the l 10 volt input istransformed to 12,000 volts at the output winding to permit wide spacingbetween the grids. Adjustment of the variable resistance V providescontrol of the voltage value existing across the output windings T-2. Asindicated, the voltage from the output winding T-2 is supplied to theleads L-l and L-2 which supply the electrical potential to the spacegrids 18 and 19 respectively.

The switch S is preferably adapted ,to automatically open when thecurrent flowing through the switch exceeds a predetermined maximumvalue. The switch thus functions as a safety device which automaticallyterminates the electrical potential between the spaced grids whenunusually large loads are encountered caused for example by continuousarcing due to heavy rain. When the overload condition has beenrectified, the switch S may be manually reset to reinitiate operatron.

While no specific support is illustrated for mounting of the lamp Lwithin the housing, it will be readily appreciated that any suitablemeans such as roof mounted brackets may be effectively employed. Inaddition, it

v will also be evident that a plurality of lamps may be em-.

'ployed even though a single lamp has been specifically b. conductingmeans included in each of said grid means, and conducting meansincluding a plurality of vertically extending rod means;

c. power supply means connected with said grid means for forming anelectrical potential difference between said first and second spacedgrid means;

d. connecting means for physically connecting said first and second gridmeans to each other;

e. electrically non-conductive material included in said connectingmeans for electrically separating said first and second grid means;

f. adjustment means included with said connecting means for adjustingthe separation between said first and second grid means and foradjusting the relative position of said first and second grid means withrespect to each other whereby said first and second grid means may bepositioned in I two dimensions with respect to each other;

g. movable connections formed in said connecting means for adjusting theseparation and relative position between said rod means in said firstgrid means and said rod means in said second grid means;

h. first electrical control means for varying the potential differenceexisting between said first and second grid means;

i. protective screen means positioned about said grid means;

j. light means connected with said power supply means for attractinginsects to said insect electrocutor;

k. two vertically spaced, upper and lower support means included in eachof said first and said second grid means with said rod means in saidfirst grid means horizontally spaced from each other and extendingvertically between said upper and lower vertically spaced support meansin said first grid means and said rod means in said second grid meanshorizontally spaced from each other and extending vertically betweensaid vertically spaced support means in said second grid means; and

1. upper and lower arm means included in said movable connections andextending substantially horizontally from said upper and lower supportmeans respectively with said upper arm means in said first grid meanssecured to said upper arm means in said second grid means by pivotableconnecting means and said lower arm means in said first grid meanssecured to said lower arm means in said second grid means by pivotableconnecting means whereby said first and second grid means 7 may beadjusted with respect to each other. grid 2. An insect electrocutor asdefined in claim 1 further including:

a. transformer means for providing a high voltage potential differencebetween said first and second grid means; and

b. variable resistance means for varying the output of said transformermeans.

3. An insect electrocutor as defined in claim 1 further includingautomatic light responsive means for terminating the potentialdifference between said first and second grid means when said lightresponsive means is exposed to light intensity exceeding a redeterrninedmaximum value. p An insect electrocutor as defined in claim 2 furtherincluding automatic light responsive means for terminating the potentialdifference between said first and second grid means when said lightresponsive means is exposed to light intensity exceeding a predeterminedmaximum value.

1. An insect electrocutor comprising: a. first and second spaced gridmeans; b. conducting means included in each of said grid means, andconducting means including a plurality of vertically extending rodmeans; c. power supply means connected with said grid means for formingan electrical potential difference between said first and second spacedgrid means; d. connecting means for physically connecting said first andsecond grid means to each other; e. electrically non-conductive materialincluded in said connecting means for electrically separating said firstand second grid means; f. adjustment means included with said connectingmeans for adjusting the separation between said first and second gridmeans and for adjusting the relative position of said first and secondgrid means with respect to each other whereby said first and second gridmeans may be positioned in two dimensions with respect to each other; g.movable connections formed in said connecting means for adjusting theseparation and relative position between said rod means in said firstgrid means and said rod means in said second grid means; h. firstelectrical control means for varying the potential difference existingbetween said first and second grid means; i. protective screen meanspositioned about said grid means; j. light means connected with saidpower supply means for attracting insects to said insect electrocutor;k. two vertically spaced, upper and lower support means included in eachof said first and said second grid means with said rod means in saidfirst grid means horizontally spaced from each other and extendingvertically between said upper and lower vertically spaced support meansin said first grid means and said rod means in said second grid meanshorizontally spaced from each other and extending vertically betweensaid vertically spaced support means in said second grid means; and l.upper and lower arm means included in said movable connections andextending substantially horizontally from said upper and lower supportmeans respectively with said upper arm means in said first grid meanssecured to said upper arm means in said second grid means by pivotableconnecting means and said lower arm means in said first grid meanssecured to said lower arm means in said second grid means by pivotableconnecting means whereby said first and second grid means may beadjusted with respect to each other. grid
 2. An insect electrocutor asdefined in claim 1 further including: a. transformer means for providinga high voltage potential difference between said first and second gridmeans; and b. variable resistance means for varying the output of saidtransformer means.
 3. An insect electrocutor as defined in claim 1further including automatic light responsive means for terminating thepotential difference between said first and second grid means when saidlight responsive means is exposed to light intensity exceeding apredetermined maximum value.
 4. An insect electrocutor as defined inclaim 2 further including automatic light responsive means forterminating the potential difference between said first and second gridmeans when said light responsive means is exposed to light intensityexceeding a predetermined maximum value.